Now that S Korea dropped their mask mandate…
Jan 29, 2023, 10:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 19
Now that S Korea dropped their mask mandate…
Will Korean Air follow suit? I assume they’ll still require masks, since South Korea is still mandating them on “public transport” but I’ve yet to see anything definitive from a government source that includes airplanes as “public transport”.
If the government decrees that airplanes do fall under that category, then I assume we’ll see a situation like we did with Germany and Spain where international carriers will not require them but national flag carriers (like Korean Air) will still mandate them. Any insight or thoughts?
If the government decrees that airplanes do fall under that category, then I assume we’ll see a situation like we did with Germany and Spain where international carriers will not require them but national flag carriers (like Korean Air) will still mandate them. Any insight or thoughts?
Jan 30, 2023, 9:02 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Switzerland; South Korea
Posts: 346
It’s going to be a very gradual and slow process I’m afraid.
Even if airplanes don’t count as public transport (although almost certain they will), Korean carriers will be very slow to make a move IMO.
People got used to wearing a mask here and most people still wear it outside.
Hopefully it changes soon.
Even if airplanes don’t count as public transport (although almost certain they will), Korean carriers will be very slow to make a move IMO.
People got used to wearing a mask here and most people still wear it outside.
Hopefully it changes soon.
Feb 1, 2023, 2:23 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Korea still requires masks on public transit, buses, taxis, AND AIRPLANES. So, Korean Air and Asiana will never drop it. Actually, I called KE today and their phone line announcement said you need a mask for CHECK IN, BOARDING, and ON THE PLANE. Masks are not required inside the airport areas.
Feb 1, 2023, 12:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PSC
Posts: 81
I'm hoping KE drops the mask requirement for my upcoming flight.
Of course on an airplane you can take it off to eat and drink. If it were truly hazardous the mask would stay on the entirety of the flight. In a Pu239 atmosphere I don't take off my mask to sip some water.
For the record I'm a professional respirator wearer. I'm trained and fit tested (quantitative not qualitative). Surgeons mask just stop spittle, not viruses. Don't get me started.
Of course on an airplane you can take it off to eat and drink. If it were truly hazardous the mask would stay on the entirety of the flight. In a Pu239 atmosphere I don't take off my mask to sip some water.
For the record I'm a professional respirator wearer. I'm trained and fit tested (quantitative not qualitative). Surgeons mask just stop spittle, not viruses. Don't get me started.
Feb 10, 2023, 6:12 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta PL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 5
Flew KAL yesterday: Feb 9, 2023: MNL-ICN-ATL. Face masks required the entire way. I found KAL Prestige class to be somewhat nicer than Delta One, but the mask mandates were the fly in KAL's ointment, so to speak.
Feb 13, 2023, 10:58 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SFO, JFK/LGA, SEA
Programs: Alaska 75K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, *A Gold w/ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 815
Following for my family's flights in March and April. How strict do they tend to be w/ enforcement? ANA for example still makes the announcement but doesn't wake up anyone who's sleeping (in business class, at least) whose mask falls off.
Feb 13, 2023, 8:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Switzerland; South Korea
Posts: 346
But on the other hand recently had a flight in J where nobody said a thing.
The general rule would be to expect strict enforcement outside of meal-times.
Feb 18, 2023, 3:00 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,532
I was told once during a 15hr flight in F
Mar 6, 2023, 8:13 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SFO, JFK/LGA, SEA
Programs: Alaska 75K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, *A Gold w/ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 815
So now that Cathay Pacific (one of the former strictest mask places) dropped their mandate in sync w/ the gov’t and Japan is poised to drop on March 13th… any update here? Will KoreanAir really be the last one to fold? My family won’t stop complaining to me that they’ll have to wear one on our flights towards the end of this month
Mar 9, 2023, 9:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Bonvoy Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 184
Just flew KE657 ICN-BKK...they were definitely enforcing masks. Given this was an A380 and I was in Y after coming off Delta One from ATL, I wasn't complaining...forgot how many people are in that darn plane!
Mar 14, 2023, 8:53 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PSC
Posts: 81
Korea Herald article
"South Korea will lift the mask mandate for public transportation starting on March 20, the government announced Wednesday."
"The types of public transportation where people are no longer required to wear masks include public buses, school buses, the subway, KTX, taxis and airplanes."
"South Korea will lift the mask mandate for public transportation starting on March 20, the government announced Wednesday."
"The types of public transportation where people are no longer required to wear masks include public buses, school buses, the subway, KTX, taxis and airplanes."
Mar 16, 2023, 3:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 296
Korea Herald article
"South Korea will lift the mask mandate for public transportation starting on March 20, the government announced Wednesday."
"The types of public transportation where people are no longer required to wear masks include public buses, school buses, the subway, KTX, taxis and airplanes."
"South Korea will lift the mask mandate for public transportation starting on March 20, the government announced Wednesday."
"The types of public transportation where people are no longer required to wear masks include public buses, school buses, the subway, KTX, taxis and airplanes."